As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one.Matt Everatt joins Elvis and Barb for a fascinating conversation that takes a deep dive into his journey through the dental laboratory industry and the story behind his book, The Invisible Profession. From discovering dental technology at 16 and specializing in maxillofacial prosthetics and orthodontics to working in hospitals, developing early sleep-apnea appliances, and nearly leaving the profession altogether, Matt's career has taken some seriously interesting turns. Eventually, he helped co-found S4S, building a successful business around sleep-apnea appliances, occlusal splints, orthodontics, and more before eventually stepping away from ownership.

Matt Everatt joins Elvis and Barb for a fascinating conversation that takes a deep dive into his journey through the dental laboratory industry and the story behind his book, The Invisible Profession. From discovering dental technology at 16 and specializing in maxillofacial prosthetics and orthodontics to working in hospitals, developing early sleep-apnea appliances, and nearly leaving the profession altogether, Matt's career has taken some seriously interesting turns. Eventually, he helped co-found S4S, building a successful business around sleep-apnea appliances, occlusal splints, orthodontics, and more before eventually stepping away from ownership.

But this conversation goes far beyond Matt's career. His book, The Invisible Profession, explores how the dental laboratory industry arrived at a place where technicians and laboratories are often undervalued, pushed into price competition, and expected to simply keep their heads down and produce. Matt shares his thoughts on the "million little things" that shaped the industry, the danger of becoming a "busy fool," and why laboratories need to stop competing solely on price and start becoming known for the value, expertise, and partnership they bring to the dental team. Elvis, Barb, and Matt also talk about the changing landscape of digital dentistry, AI, 3D printing, speed, service, and why the labs that embrace change and remain agile will be the ones positioned for the future. It's an honest, thought-provoking, and ultimately optimistic conversation about where the dental laboratory profession has been, where it is today, and where it can go next.

Special Guest: Matt Everatt.

As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one.

This week, Elvis and Barb are coming to you from the FDLA Symposium at the GPS Digital RPD booth with two conversations that prove one thing: dental technology never stops evolving. First up, Chris Bradley from SmileLine USA returns to the podcast alongside technician, educator, and lab owner Richard Wodzinski, with Dawn Roniger from GC America joining the discussion. What starts as a conversation about "sexy brushes" quickly turns into a deep dive into one of the most intriguing shade-matching workflows you'll hear about. Richard explains how the OptiShade camera and Matisse software work together to create incredibly accurate shade recipes for everything from monolithic zirconia to layered ceramics and even gingiva. They also discuss the latest Creation Magic Color system, hands-on education, custom shade appointments, and why reducing remakes isn't just good for labs—it's better for doctors and patients too. Add in some FDLA leadership talk and a shared passion for education, and you've got a conversation packed with practical ideas and plenty of laughs.

Then Elvis and Barb sit down with Kaveh Shams, Branch Manager for Zirkonzahn Canada, whose journey into digital dentistry spans London, Italy, and Canada. Kaveh shares how his admiration for Enrico Steger and Zirkonzahn eventually led to his dream job, while also offering a fascinating look into the company's history, philosophy, and commitment to education. From the origins of Exocad and custom CAM strategies to modular milling systems, open architecture, and Zirkonzahn's incredible Military School program that trains the next generation of technicians, this conversation is full of insight into what makes one of dentistry's most respected digital companies tick. It's an inspiring story of passion, persistence, and why great technology always starts with great technicians.

Special Guests: Chris Bradley, Dawn Roniger ​​​​, Kaveh Shams, and Rich Wodzinski.

As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one.

The Voices From the Bench microphones head to the FDLA Symposium for three conversations that perfectly capture what makes this industry so special. Thanks to the wonderful people at GPS Digital RPD, Elvis and Barb got to sit down with longtime friend Morris Fucarino to celebrate an incredible milestone—50 years as a CDT. Morris shares how he found his way into dental technology, what earning certification has meant throughout his career, and why he believes every technician should strive to be the best they can be. From belt-driven handpieces and gold crowns to running a successful one-man laboratory with just three loyal doctors, Morris proves that passion, relationships, and knowledge never go out of style. His stories are a reminder that while technology continues to change, craftsmanship and pride in your work remain timeless.

Next, the conversation shifts to Enja Dorjchuluun from Sakr Dental Arts, who talks about helping lead one of Florida's fastest-growing laboratories while serving on the FDLA Board of Directors. She discusses the challenges of managing a lab spread across multiple buildings, the excitement of moving into a brand-new facility, and why giving back through organized dentistry has become such an important part of her career. From developing future technicians to creating educational opportunities and strengthening state associations, Enja shares why investing in people is every bit as important as investing in technology.

To wrap things up, Elvis and Barb meet Joseph Núñez Reyes from GPS Digital Dental Lab, whose journey from Puerto Rico to Orlando is fueled by determination, curiosity, and a love for digital dentistry. After leaving biomedical engineering behind, Joseph found his passion in the dental laboratory, worked his way from the model room to supervising a modern CAM department, and now showcases laboratory workflows through social media to inspire the next generation of technicians. With dreams of one day returning to Puerto Rico to build a state-of-the-art laboratory, Joseph reminds us that the future of dental technology is in very capable hands.

Ever notice the busiest labs aren't always the ones working the longest hours? They're usually the ones with a workflow that keeps moving—even after everyone heads home. Real productivity isn't about asking your team to do more; it's about having the right tools doing more for your team. That's where Roland's DGSHAPE DWX milling solutions really shine. Built to keep production moving whether you're milling a single case or running overnight, they free your technicians to focus on finishing cases, serving customers, and growing the business instead of babysitting equipment. That's what real productivity looks like: more output, fewer interruptions, and less time spent chasing problems. Because every hour your mill is producing is another hour your lab is creating value. If you're ready to get more from every production day, discover what Roland's DGSHAPE DWX milling solutions can do for your lab at rolanddental.com.

Special Guests: Enja Dorjchuluun, Joseph Núñez Reyes, and Morris Fucarino CDT.

As full-arch dentistry continues to grow, so do the demands on today's dental laboratories. That's why Knight Dental recently launched SimplyARCH Studio, a dedicated production environment built exclusively for full-arch restorations. To support this specialized workflow, Knight invested in an XTCERA milling system and carefully evaluated multiple CAM software solutions before choosing hyperDENT. The decision came down to exceptional milling quality, minimal hand finishing, and impressive production efficiency. But what truly set hyperDENT apart was the implementation process. From the very beginning, the team provided more than software training—they shared the knowledge and experience needed to build an optimized workflow for complex full-arch cases. With proven expertise in advanced milling strategies and laboratory production, hyperDENT helped ensure SimplyARCH Studio was designed for long-term success from day one.

This week we finally get to sit down with someone we've been talking about ever since meeting him at exocad Insights in Spain—Felix Chung from Imagine USA. What starts as the story of a kid who dreamed of becoming an astronaut quickly turns into one of the most fascinating journeys in digital dentistry. From researching zero gravity at NASA to trimming models in his uncle's dental lab (a job he absolutely hated), Felix shares how an aerospace engineering degree unexpectedly became the perfect foundation for helping shape the digital lab industry.

Felix takes us through the early days of Imagine, back when it was known as iMilling, explaining how a brand-new 3Shape scanner, a lot of late-night research, and a willingness to take risks led him to become one of the pioneers of custom implant abutments and titanium bars. He opens up about betting everything on a quarter-million-dollar milling machine that barely worked, buying his uncle out of the business, and how meeting Jordan Greenberg completely changed the trajectory of the company. It's a story full of huge risks, bigger lessons, and the determination it takes to build something from the ground up.

The conversation dives deep into the evolution of digital dentistry as Felix explains how Imagine expanded from a milling center into one of the industry's leading providers of CAD/CAM solutions, Exocad, HyperDENT, scanners, mills, and technical support. He shares why hiring great people has always been more important than selling great products, how the industry has shifted between outsourcing and in-house production over the last fifteen years, and why supporting laboratories through every technological change remains the company's biggest priority.

We also spend plenty of time talking implants as Felix tells the incredible story behind the Mist implant component line, how a relationship with the United States Navy helped launch the brand, and how partnerships with companies like Keystone and SIC are helping bring better, more affordable restorative solutions to laboratories. Along the way, we discuss OEM versus compatible components, the ever-changing implant landscape, and what's next for Imagine—including new implant systems and a patent-pending angled custom abutment solution that could change how labs manufacture restorations in-house. If you enjoy hearing how innovation, perseverance, and a little bit of luck can transform an entire career, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Special Guest: Felix Chung.

At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from Imagine USA—and the timing couldn’t have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it’s not just about seeing what’s new—it’s about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers.

While at Exocad Insights in Mallorca, Elvis and Barb sit down with Beth Collington, President of Exocad America, to talk about the growth of digital dentistry and how Exocad continues to evolve to meet the needs of technicians, laboratories, and clinicians. Beth shares her thoughts on education, accessibility, and the importance of creating tools that help bring more people into digital workflows while maintaining the flexibility that has made Exocad a favorite throughout the industry.

Then Josh Jakson and Robert Norton join the podcast to discuss their roles as Exocad educators, trainers, and laboratory professionals. The conversation covers some of the biggest announcements from Exocad Insights, including AI Crown, Crown Finalization, and ExoHub, and what these developments could mean for the future of laboratory workflows. They also share how real-world production experience influences the way they teach, why Exocad's flexibility remains one of its greatest strengths, and how the software is being used for everything from high-volume crown production to custom grills, jewelry, and even automotive parts. It's a fun conversation filled with practical insight, industry perspective, and a glimpse into where digital dentistry is headed next.

Special Guests: Beth Collington, Joshua Jakson, and Robert Norton.

At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from Imagine USA—and the timing couldn’t have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it’s not just about seeing what’s new—it’s about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers.

This week, Elvis and Barb continue their coverage from exocad Insights 2026 in beautiful Mallorca, Spain, where the conversations are just as valuable as the lectures. The episode starts with Dr. Zhiqiang Luo, who shares his perspective on educating the next generation of dentists in an increasingly digital world. The discussion explores how students are adapting to technology, why foundational analog skills still matter, and the challenge of preparing future clinicians for workflows that continue to evolve at a rapid pace. It's an insightful look at where dental education is headed and how digital dentistry is becoming second nature to new graduates.

The conversation then shifts to one of the most memorable encounters from the event as Elvis and Barb sit down with Alyson Bravo, a passionate dental technician from Brazil who has traveled across the globe to attend exocad Insights. What starts as a discussion about digital workflows quickly turns into a story about chasing dreams, making connections, and experiencing the international dental community firsthand. Alyson talks about discovering digital dentistry, teaching himself advanced design techniques, and the excitement of finally meeting people he has only known through podcasts, social media, and online education.

The episode wraps up with returning friend of the podcast Tobias Specht from Ivoclar. Fresh off several major product announcements, Tobias gives listeners an inside look at the collaboration between Ivoclar and exocad and how customer feedback continues to shape product development. He discusses the integration of Ivotion into the exocad workflow, the importance of training and education, and how Ivoclar works with customers around the globe to refine new products before they ever reach the market.

Special Guests: Alyson Bravo, Dr. Zhiqiang Luo, and Tobias Specht.

At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from Imagine USA—and the timing couldn’t have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it’s not just about seeing what’s new—it’s about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers.

Fresh off the beaches and lectures of the beautiful island of Mallorca at the exocad Insights 2026 , Elvis and Barb sat down with three incredible women proving that digital dentistry is global, creative, and fueled by passion. First up is Andreea Bordea, a ceramist and lab owner originally from Romania who found her way into dental technology after narrowly missing acceptance into dental school. From analog waxing and staining zirconia with a single A2 shade to opening her own lab in Spain and building a digital workflow around exocad, Andreea shares the journey of learning everything the hard way. She talks about teaching herself digital dentistry, building a team, and how social media unexpectedly became her outlet while working alone in her lab. The conversation also dives into Ivoclar materials, zirconia, and the excitement around new products launched at Insights.

Then the microphones turn to Denisse Ramos from for one of the most energetic conversations of the event. Denisse talks about her journey from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Coca-Cola into the dental industry, eventually becoming a major force in digital workflows, 3D printing, and equipment sales. From Dentsply to Desktop Health and now leading sales at New Stetic USA, Denisse shares stories about mentorship, industry evolution, women in dentistry, and why labs need to charge for their expertise. We all talk about the rise of digital dentistry, treatment planning frustrations, social media, the future of dentures, and the importance of giving back through organizations like Ladies of the Mill and the NADL.

Finally, Elvis met Daniela Torres, better known online as “Danny Designer,” a digital designer from Chile whose Instagram portfolio turned into a thriving business. Daniela explains how she taught herself exocad through YouTube before traveling to Madrid for advanced training, eventually working at the MOD Institute in South Carolina before returning to Chile to build her own remote design business. From designing full arch restorations and dentures to handling dozens of cases a day entirely through email and WhatsApp, Daniela proves how powerful digital dentistry and social media have become for technicians worldwide. The conversation wraps with excitement around exocad’s newest updates, the exocad Hub, and what it means to be recognized as an exocad Hero.

Special Guests: Andreea Bordea, Daniela Torres, and Denisse Lasso Ramos.

At exocad Insights in beautiful Mallorca, we finally caught up with Felix from Imagine USA—and the timing couldn’t have been better. As an exocad dealer on the front lines of digital dentistry, Felix shared his excitement about the strong turnout, the familiar faces, and most importantly, the innovation coming from exocad. What stood out most? The new exocad Hub and its cloud-based capabilities, along with powerful AI-driven tools inside DentalDB designed for efficient batch processing. For Felix and the Imagine team, it’s not just about seeing what’s new—it’s about putting it to the test. By running new features through their own production facility first, they ensure real-world performance before bringing solutions to their customers. Beyond the technology, Felix emphasized the value of being there in person—connecting face-to-face with partners, having meaningful conversations, and stepping back to see where the industry is headed. And of course, doing it all in Mallorca doesn’t hurt either.

This week Elvis and Barb are back at exocad Insights 2026 where the microphones captured two very different conversations that somehow landed on the exact same thing: passion still matters. First up, we sat down with longtime dental technicians and Oral Design International Foundation members Pinhas Adar and Javier Perez to talk about the legacy of the legendary Willi Geller and how one man helped elevate dental technicians from the shadows to respected members of the restorative team. From stories of learning under masters in Switzerland to building a worldwide family of 127 members across 34 countries, the conversation dives deep into friendship, mentorship, craftsmanship, and why face-to-face connection still matters in a digital world. They also share details about upcoming memorial and symposium events dedicated to carrying on Willi’s philosophy of passion, respect, and sharing knowledge without ego.

Then the crew caught up with returning guest Dora Rodrigues, who has gone from conversion queen to certified exocad trainer, full-arch educator, and lab owner running an increasingly digital workflow. Dora talks about finally bringing milling in-house, the terrifying learning curve that came with it, and how mastering workflows like split bars and partial CAD has completely changed the way she designs full-arch restorations. Between traveling internationally to lecture, teaching labs how to streamline their workflows, and still designing cases herself, Dora proves that digital dentistry still takes serious technical skill, problem-solving, and obsession with detail. It’s an episode full of passion, legacy, technology, and the reminder that no matter how digital dentistry gets… the people behind it still make all the difference.

Today’s dental labs are under more pressure than ever — tighter turnaround times, staffing challenges, and nonstop production demands. That’s why efficiency and reliability matter more than ever before.

More laboratories continue turning to Roland DGA and the proven performance of the DGSHAPE DWX Series milling solutions to keep production moving smoothly. Reliable workflows help reduce downtime, minimize remakes, and allow technicians to focus on quality work instead of troubleshooting equipment.

For labs exploring digital dentures, the Elevate Denture Solution offers a streamlined workflow with validated CAM strategies and Ivotion compatibility through hyperDENT software — helping labs adopt digital production without unnecessary complexity.

Because labs don’t need more stress. They need dependable systems that simply work.

Special Guests: Dora Rodrigues, Javier Perez Lopez, and Pinhas Adar MDT, CDT.

If you’re passionate about creating natural, beautiful smiles—but want to simplify your workflow without sacrificing aesthetics—this is for you. I’m honored to be part of Ivoclar’s development team introducing a powerful new stain and glaze system featuring Structure Paste, IPS e.max Ceram Art. Create stunning depth and lifelike color in as little as one firing.

Let’s continue to innovate, simplify, and create meaningful change—one smile at a time.

Elvis actually made it down to the exhibition halls this year — and hyperDENT from FOLLOW-ME! Technology was everywhere.

Booth after booth, people were talking milling strategies, templates, and workflows. It felt like a full-on CAM takeover. Their Milling Roadmap scavenger hunt had attendees bouncing between Axsys, Imagine, D.O.F., and Roland collecting stamps like responsible adults…

Responsible adults chasing a bright orange folding electric hyperDENT scooter.

That’s what we love about the FOLLOW-ME! team — world-class CAM engineers talking microns and validation protocols one minute, then ripping around Lab Day the next.

Serious about precision. Not too serious about themselves.

Big shoutout for bringing the brains — and the electric horsepower.

Come see and talk to Elvis and Barb at all these amazing shows in 2026*

• Dental Lab Association of Texas Meeting in Dallas Apr 9-11 https://members.dlat.org/
• exocad Insights in Mallorca, Spain Apr 30 - May 1 https://exocad.com/insights-2026

At the 100-year celebration of the Cal-Lab Association, Elvis checks in with past chair Jeff Stronk after the first full day of the meeting to see how things are going. With Barb stepping into the chair role and kicking things off in style, Jeff talks about the incredible energy in the room, the rise in attendance, and the surprising number of first-time lab owners showing up. From powerful panel discussions filled with unforgettable one-liners to honest conversations about succession planning, leadership, and the realities of running a lab, day one proves why this meeting has survived for a century. Unlike traditional trade shows packed with sales pitches, Cal-Lab keeps the focus on real lab owners sharing real experiences, giving attendees practical insights they can take back to their businesses.

After moving over to the Ivoclar Ballroom at LMT Lab Day Chicago, the conversation shifts to the future of the industry with April Newell, a former dental hygienist who strategically worked her way into the world of additive manufacturing at Nota3D. Now selling advanced resin and metal 3D printing systems to dental labs, April breaks down how 3D printing evolved from simple model production to full frameworks and implant bars. She explains the realities of metal printing, the technology behind lasers and powder systems, and why labs that invest in metal printing tend to grow faster than they expect. Her perspective highlights just how quickly digital manufacturing is changing the lab landscape—and how dentistry continues to pull people into its orbit for life.

Finally, Elvis talks with Joey Hunter, a veteran technician with nearly 30 years in the industry and a true removable specialist. Joey shares how she answered a newspaper ad looking for a “starving artist” back in the 90s and ended up building a lifelong career in dental technology. From mastering every step of removable fabrication to adapting after losing her hearing during her career, Joey’s story highlights both the artistry and resilience behind the craft. Now working at Renstrom Dental Studio, she reflects on seeing LMT Lab Day Chicago 2026 for the first time and being amazed by how far the industry has come. Her experience reminds everyone that while technology continues to evolve, the hands-on knowledge and artistry of technicians remain at the heart of dentistry.

Hey, listeners—ever wonder what Elvis is doing when he’s not recording Voices from the Bench?

He’s a client rep for Derby Dental Laboratory, out in the field every day doing chairside visits and building relationships. His job is simple—keep doctors happy and keep them coming back.

And he couldn’t do it without iCortica.

Right from his phone, Elvis can see sales, remake rates, account notes, risks, and cross-sell opportunities—even before he walks through the door. No spreadsheets. No surprises. Just the info he needs to grow accounts.

Stop digging for data and start taking action.

Head to icortica.com and schedule your demo today.

Join us at exocad Insights 2026, happening April 30–May 1, 2026, on the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain. This two-day event features powerhouse keynotes, hands-on workshops, live software demos, and top-tier industry showcases—all in one unforgettable setting.

Barb and Elvis will be on site bringing you exclusive interviews, plus don’t miss the Women in Dentistry Lunch, celebrating career growth, wellbeing, and the real stories shaping our profession. And of course, cap it all off with the legendary exoGlam Night under the stars.

Tickets are limited. Visit exocad.com/insights-2026 and use code VFTBPalma15 for 15% off.

Special Guests: April Newell, Jeff Stronk, and Joey Hunter.

Walking the Lab Day Chicago floor? Make it worth it.

Stop by the FOLLOW-ME! hyperDENT booth (E-27, East Hall) and take part in their Milling Roadmap—a quick, scavenger-hunt-style activity that leads you to key milling partners like Axsys, Imagine, DOF, and Roland.

Collect stamps at booths you’re likely visiting anyway and get entered to win some great giveaways—including this year’s grand prize: a foldable Honda electric scooter.

You’re already walking the floor. Now it might carry you.

Come see and talk to Elvis and Barb at all these amazing shows in 2026*

• Cal-Lab Association Meeting in Chicago Feb 19-20 https://cal-lab.org/
• LMT Lab Day Chicago Feb 19-21 https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabday
• Dental Lab Association of Texas Meeting in Dallas Apr 9-11 https://members.dlat.org/
• exocad Insights in Mallorca, Spain Apr 30 - May 1 https://exocad.com/insights-2026

This week we sit down with Michael Joseph, a London-based lab owner whose journey through dental technology is anything but traditional. From delivering impressions on a scooter through the streets of London to completely rebuilding his lab as a fully digital operation, Michael shares a candid, honest look at what it really takes to survive—and thrive—in today’s dental lab landscape.

Michael walks listeners through his early days pouring hundreds of stone models by hand, navigating education with dyslexia, and eventually earning his degree in dental technology. After years at the bench, he pivoted into dental sales, working with companies like Orascoptic, Sirona, and Skillbond/Argen—experience that gave him deep insight into materials, equipment, and the business side of dentistry. That sales background ultimately fueled his return to lab ownership and helped him build a strong network of clinicians from day one.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Michael opens up about the challenges of Brexit, COVID, staffing losses, and personal upheaval that nearly ended his lab altogether. Instead of quitting, he made a bold decision: gut the lab completely and rebuild it from the ground up as a fully digital operation. Investing heavily in milling, printing, Exocad, and workflow automation, Michael shares how committing to systems, protocols, and vertical integration transformed not just his lab—but his mindset.

Elvis and Barb dig into Michael’s digital workflows, including photogrammetry, full-arch immediate load cases, remote design teams, LMS integration with GreatLab, and why reliability and consistency are the real competitive advantages. Michael also explains how peer referrals—not ads—became his strongest growth engine, and how simplifying communication with dentists through WhatsApp, QR codes, automation, and self-booking systems has completely changed the way his lab operates.### If you want to grow your business, you need clear insight into what’s happening inside your operation and across your customer journey. That’s where Icortica comes in.

At Canadian Dental Labs, Icortica has become a cornerstone of how we operate—giving us at-a-glance visibility into performance, helping us focus our efforts, spot opportunities early, and solve problems before they grow. It takes the guesswork out of decision-making and shows us what to do next.

Plus, the Icortica team is incredibly responsive and feels like a true partner in our success.

If you’re serious about growing your business and understanding your customers better, Icortica can get you there. Learn more at icortica.com/voices — Icortica, helping dental labs grow.

Join us at exocad Insights 2026, happening April 30–May 1, 2026, on the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain. This two-day event features powerhouse keynotes, hands-on workshops, live software demos, and top-tier industry showcases—all in one unforgettable setting.

Barb and Elvis will be on site bringing you exclusive interviews, plus don’t miss the Women in Dentistry Lunch, celebrating career growth, wellbeing, and the real stories shaping our profession. And of course, cap it all off with the legendary exoGlam Night under the stars.

Tickets are limited. Visit exocad.com/insights-2026 and use code VFTBPalma15 for 15% off.

Starting the year strong in the dental lab isn’t about goals—it’s about results. Predictable productivity is what drives real profitability, and unpredictability is costly when remakes rise and production slows.

That’s why labs rely on Roland DGA’s DGSHAPE milling solutions. With consistent accuracy, minimal downtime, and automation you can count on, systems like the DWX-53DC deliver reliable output day after day—making ROI measurable and growth predictable.

See consistency in action at LMT Lab Day Chicago, Booth I-20.

Choose DGSHAPE. Crafted with Japanese precision. Trusted by dental professionals worldwide.

Learn more at rolanddental.com

Special Guest: Michael Joseph.

Walking the Lab Day Chicago floor? Make it worth it.

Stop by the FOLLOW-ME! hyperDENT booth (E-27, East Hall) and take part in their Milling Roadmap—a quick, scavenger-hunt-style activity that leads you to key milling partners like Axsys, Imagine, DOF, and Roland.

Collect stamps at booths you’re likely visiting anyway and get entered to win some great giveaways—including this year’s grand prize: a foldable Honda electric scooter.

You’re already walking the floor. Now it might carry you.

Come see and talk to Elvis and Barb at all these amazing shows coming up in 2026*

• Cal-Lab Association Meeting in Chicago Feb 19-20 https://cal-lab.org/
• LMT Lab Day Chicago Feb 19-21 https://lmtmag.com/lmtlabday
• Dental Lab Association of Texas Meeting in Dallas Apr 9-11 https://members.dlat.org/
• exocad Insights in Mallorca, Spain Apr 30 - May 1 https://exocad.com/insights-2026

This week Elvis and Barb sit down with Helen Tanaka — a removable, implant, and digital workflow specialist whose career started in one of the most relatable ways possible: as a dental lab driver. What began as a job delivering cases quickly turned into a full-blown passion once she stepped inside the lab and saw what technicians were creating. From trimming dies and waxing copings to managing labs, supporting implant surgeries, teaching doctors chairside, and leading removable and implant teams, Helen shares a journey built on curiosity, persistence, and a deep drive to understand the why behind everything in dental technology.

Helen talks about working her way through crown and bridge fundamentals before discovering her true passion in removables, dentures, implants, and occlusion. After getting real-world lab experience, she attended dental technology school, studied all six specialties, and continued expanding her knowledge through advanced occlusion training and continuing education. She explains why understanding morphology, materials, and occlusal principles is critical — especially today — and why technicians must know more than just the steps of fabrication. For Helen, dentures and implant prosthetics offer the ultimate puzzle, combining anatomy, function, and problem-solving in ways that keep her constantly engaged.

The conversation dives deep into digital dentistry, guided surgery, and removable workflows, with Helen sharing her early experiences launching digital denture and sleep appliance programs long before the workflows were polished. She discusses digital record capture, stackable surgical guides, implant planning, photogrammetry, and where digital still needs improvement — especially for removable prosthetics. While she embraces technology, she stresses that software is only as good as the technician behind it, and that skipping fundamentals creates bigger problems later. Digital is powerful, but it doesn’t replace understanding.

Education is a major theme throughout the episode. Helen regularly teaches doctors and technicians, speaks at courses, supports live implant conversions, and works with dental students. She emphasizes that many clinicians today lack confidence in dentures and removable workflows, often because fundamentals are under-taught, and she sees technicians as essential partners in closing that gap. She and the hosts discuss how removable cases are frequently rushed, underpaid, and misunderstood — even though they replace a critical body function — and why slowing down, capturing correct records, and returning to basics solves many of the “mystery” failures labs see every day.

Helen also shares stories from her time with large organizations and clinical teams, including MicroDental, ClearChoice, Arklign, and implant education centers, where she has worked in technical service, management, training, and quality oversight roles. She talks about networking, mentoring, never burning bridges, and investing in people coming up in the industry. Her approach to both dentistry and life centers around curiosity and accountability — always asking why, always backing decisions with data, and always trying to do the right thing even when no one is looking.

Throughout the episode, the energy stays fun and honest, with stories about speeding delivery runs, early digital growing pains, chairside save-the-case moments, and the reality of fixing cases that skipped key steps. Helen brings passion, technical depth, and a strong belief that knowledge should be shared, not guarded. It’s a conversation about growth, fundamentals, digital evolution, and why great technicians still matter more than ever.

If you want to grow your business, you need clear insight into what’s happening inside your operation and across your customer journey. That’s where Icortica comes in.

At Canadian Dental Labs, Icortica has become a cornerstone of how we operate—giving us at-a-glance visibility into performance, helping us focus our efforts, spot opportunities early, and solve problems before they grow. It takes the guesswork out of decision-making and shows us what to do next.

Plus, the Icortica team is incredibly responsive and feels like a true partner in our success.

If you’re serious about growing your business and understanding your customers better, Icortica can get you there. Learn more at icortica.com/voices — Icortica, helping dental labs grow.

Join us at exocad Insights 2026, happening April 30–May 1, 2026, on the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain. This two-day event features powerhouse keynotes, hands-on workshops, live software demos, and top-tier industry showcases—all in one unforgettable setting.

Barb and Elvis will be on site bringing you exclusive interviews, plus don’t miss the FIRST 5k run on the coast! And of course, cap it all off with the legendary exoGlam Night under the stars.

Tickets are limited. Visit exocad.com/insights-2026 and use code VFTBPalma15 for 15% off.

Special Guest: Helen Tanaka.

aidite.com

Duff Wilson’s journey in dental technology is anything but typical. From getting thrown into high-volume removable work at a major lab in the early ’90s to opening Wilson Dental Lab out of his home and building a lean, relationship-driven business, Duff’s story is rooted in grit, loyalty, and doing things the right way—even when it’s hard. Along the way, he shares how mentorship, state lab associations, and taking care of people shaped his career, including helping other technicians start their own labs and building a South Carolina–based milling center to support small labs.

The conversation dives deep into the evolution of digital dentistry, zirconia, milling centers, design services, and why relationships—not products—are what truly matter in this industry. Duff explains how trust and support led him to work closely with Aidite, why being lean is the key to longevity, and how redefining success after a life-changing health scare helped him create a sustainable lab, a better lifestyle, and a clear path for the next generation of technicians

Happy Holidays from Ivoclar!

As the year comes to a close, all of us at Ivoclar want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible Voices From the Bench community. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and the support you’ve shown throughout the year.

From our Ivoclar family to yours, we wish you a joyful, healthy, and safe holiday season.

May your days be merry, your nights be bright, and your smiles shine like freshly fallen snow.

Ho, ho, ho — Happy Holidays from Ivoclar!

Big news is coming your way in the world of CAM. Our friends at Ivoclar have teamed up with FOLLOW-ME! Technology to bring the Ivotion Denture System into the HyperDent CAM workflow.

That’s right—your favorite pre-shaded, two-layer Ivotion discs, the ones that let you design and mill a complete denture in one seamless process with no bonding and no mess, are now moving beyond closed systems. Thanks to this new partnership, Ivotion can finally be milled on open machines through HyperDent.

And it gets better: you’ll first see this powerful workflow available on the Roland DWX-53 series mills—already a staple in so many labs—as well as the Imagine iMills.

If you’ve been waiting for a faster, cleaner, more flexible way to produce full dentures, this is it. Ivoclar and FOLLOW-ME! just made the future of denture manufacturing wide open.

Get ready—HyperDent is about to change the way you mill Ivotion.

Special Guest: Duff Wilson.

The State Motto of Texas is Friendship and Elvis & Barb made a lot of friends at the Dental Laboratory Association of Texas (DLAT) conference in April.

-Talking nipples, dental, and the podcast we are joined by Chris Ling CDT from Lifelike Dental Studio. Chris tells an interesting story where he goes from Film and TV to owning a 5 person dental lab.

-Gary Box CDT from Rainbow Bridge Dental sits down to talk to us about being a big part of Texas' Association (even being the president back in 1983) and running a one-man lab.

-Then we are joined by father and son team Darrel & Bobby Clark CDTs from Clark Dental Lab and Implant Solutions. These two run a 5 person dental lab that specialize in fixed hybrid restorations.

Still time to
Donate to Crossing for a Cure - Alex's 80 mile fundraiser on June 15

Be sure to check out DLAT.org to see all the AMAZING things the Dental Laboratory Association of Texas is doing. Come next year to their AWESOME conference where these interviews were recorded at!

Special Guests: Bobby Clark CDT, Chris Ling CDT, Darrell Clark CDT, and Gary Box CDT.

We start off talking with our neighbor from the exhibit hall Jimmy Ruiz from Aurident. Known for their alloy, Aurident is heavy into CAD/CAM and Jimmy tells us all about his role and what they had at Lab Day.

Then we talk to a voiceover professional Jonathan Thompson from WorkNC Open Source Dental Software. We talk with him about how a lab can use Open Source to simplify and streamline your lab’s CAD/CAM software.

Check out a the commercial for the St. Paul public library he mentions during the interview!

And we finish up with Carrie and Corinthia Warner. They are a mother and daughter team from Birch Dental Lab in Oregon and Carrie is also the Executive Director for the Oregon Association of Dental Laboratories (OADL).

Check out the OADL annual meeting!

A BIG thanks to our newest sponsor PREAT CORPORATION. Use code "VOICES" online and on the phone to get 5% off your order and 1% donated to The Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology
THANK YOU PREAT!

Special Guests: Carrie Peil Warner CDT, Corinthia Warner , Jimmy Ruiz, and Jonathan Thompson.

Elvis and Barb take a break from interviewing to record today’s episode showcasing interviews we did back at LMT Lab Day Chicago. This is the first time we recorded face-to-face for an individual episode and what a great and important episode to do it for. We are joined by a couple of guys who have dedicated a lot of work and time to move up on the three boards that Barb and Elvis feel so passionate about.

First up we talk with Morris Fucarino CDT from Majestic Arts in Florida. He is the current Chair of the National Board of Certification (NBC).

We are then joined by Travis Zick from Apex Dental in Minnesota who is the President of the National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) and Sean Siegel from Castable Ceramics in Alaska who is the Vice-Chair of the Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology (FDLT).

NADL - Nation Association of Dental Laboratories
NBC - The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology
FDLT - The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology

A BIG thanks to our newest sponsor PREAT CORPORATION. Use code "VOICES" online and on the phone to get 5% off your order and 1% donated to The Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology
THANK YOU PREAT!

Special Guests: Morris Fucarino CDT, Sean Siegel, and Travis Zick.

• Brandi Nowak from Nowak Dental Supplies. Brandi comes on the podcast to talk about their 75th Anniversary and the Grandfather’s bag that started it all.

• Nelson Rego CDT from Smiles Designs by Rego. Nelson has a lab in California that has a different tax situation and a unique way he pays his technician base+piece pay.

• Then we talk to Marlin Gohn from Argen. He talks about his role in the Argen corporation and his desire to make every lab better.

Brandi's Tooth Shoe

Until May 11th get a Voices From the Bench shirt and support The Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology.
Order yours here!

Come see Voices From the Bench -
The FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo May 9 - 11th in Orlando, FL

If you are on the west coast go to -
LMT Lab Day West 2019 May 10 & 11 in Garden Grove, CA

1st Annual Maine Dental Education Forum

A BIG thanks to our newest sponsor PREAT CORPORATION. Use code "VOICES" online and on the phone to get 5% off your order and 1% donated to The Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology
THANK YOU PREAT!

Special Guests: Brandi Nowak, Marlin Gohn CDT, and Nelson Rego CDT.

• Judy Fishman and Eric Fisher from LMT Magazine talking about LMT Lab Days past, current attendee numbers, and what is in the future for Lab Day Chicago.

• Jamie Stover CDT talks about going from Chief Operating Officer of Ziemek Laboratories to Carbon to work with digital workflows in labs and his experience working with DSOs.

• Bryan Johnson from Sterling Dental Arts in Merritt Island, Florida talks about his full service lab, why he comes to LMT Lab Day Chicago, and living on a rocket launching island.

Until May 11th get a Voices From the Bench shirt and support The Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology.
Order yours here!

Come see Voices From the Bench -
The FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo May 9 - 11th in Orlando, FL

If you are on the west coast go to -
LMT Lab Day West 2019 May 10 & 11 in Garden Grove, CA

A Huge thank you to Open Implants for their support of the podcast. Head over to openimplants.com/voices to learn more and use the code voices10 to get 10% off your first order

Special Guests: Bryan Johnson, Eric Fisher, Jamie Stover CDT, and Judy Fishman.

"The Socks"

Until May 11th get a Voices From the Bench shirt and support The Foundation of Dental Laboratory Technology.
Order yours here!

Come see Voices From the Bench -
The FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo May 9 - 11th in Orlando, FL

If you are on the west coast go to -
LMT Lab Day West 2019 May 10 & 11 in Garden Grove, CA

A Huge thank you to Open Implants for their support of the podcast. Head over to openimplants.com/voices to learn more and use the code voices10 to get 10% off your first order

Special Guest: Herb Baird.

The Dawson Acadamy & Sculpture Studios team up for Digital Solutions for Complete Dentistry
https://thedawsonacademy.com/live-course/digital-solutions-dentistry/

Bellus3D FaceApp

Come see Voices From the Bench -
The FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo May 9 - 11th in Orlando, FL

If you are on the west coast go to -
LMT Lab Day West 2019 May 10 & 11 in Garden Grove, CA

A Huge thank you to Open Implants for their support of the podcast. Head over to openimplants.com/voices to learn more and use the code voices10 to get 10% off your first order

Special Guest: Lee Culp CDT.

The Dawson Acadamy & Sculpture Studios team up for Digital Solutions for Complete Dentistry
https://thedawsonacademy.com/live-course/digital-solutions-dentistry/

Come see Voices From the Bench -
The FDLA Southern States Symposium & Expo May 9 - 11th in Orlando, FL

If you are on the west coast go to -
LMT Lab Day West 2019 May 10 & 11 in Garden Grove, CA

A Huge thank you to Open Implants for their support of the podcast. Head over to openimplants.com/voices to learn more and use the code voices10 to get 10% off your first order

Special Guest: Lee Culp CDT.

His Lab: Crown Ceram laboratory
Open Implants

Come see us at:

2019 DLAT Southwest Conference & Expo April 5 & 6

The Southern States Symposium & Expo Presented by the FDLA May 9 - 11

A BIG thanks to our sponsor Nowak Dental Supplies for their support of the podcast.
Give them a call at 800-654-7623 or visit their website at nowakdental.com

Special Guest: Frederic Rapp.

At LMT Lab Day Chicago 2019 Barb and Elvis had a chance to set up a booth, bring some headphones, recording equipment, and grab anyone willing to sit down with us and record face to face. It was an amazing experience and we got a TON of interviews to release.

To celebrate our first year, we sit down with Renata Budny CDT, TE at LMT Lab Day Chicago to talk about her being our first guest, what is happening at The City University of New York, and what do professors and students do at Lab Day. We are then joined by a great student, Elias Asevedo who talks about the school and his future in dentistry.

The Dental Laboratory Technology program at City Tech

2019 DLAT Southwest Conference & Expo April 5 & 6

The Southern States Symposium & Expo Presented by the FDLA May 9 - 11

A BIG thanks to our sponsor Nowak Dental Supplies for their support of the podcast.
Give them a call at 800-654-7623 or visit their website at nowakdental.com

Special Guest: Renata Budny, CDT, TE.

Check out his YouTube Channel

The interview Cade Tippett and Steve Szara did with Barb and Elvis!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/AQc-8Yn9C8k

COME SEE VOICES FROM THE BENCH!
We will be at the DLAT meeting April 4th and 5th in Grapevine, Texas.
Register here!

A BIG thanks to our sponsor Nowak Dental Supplies for their support of the podcast.
Give them a call at 800-654-7623 or visit their website at nowakdental.com

Special Guest: Cade Tippett, CDT.

Elvis and Barb welcome a new guest to the podcast. Cade Tippett CDT is a ortho technician out of Texas. He stays very busy with his lab, his YouTube Channel , and being the Association and Conference Administrator" for the DLAT (Dental Laboratory Association of Texas).
Join us as Cade teaches two non-ortho dental technicians about their important part in our industry!

The interview Cade Tippett and Steve Szara did with Barb and Elvis!

COME SEE VOICES FROM THE BENCH!
We will be at the DLAT meeting April 4th and 5th in Grapevine, Texas.
Register here!

A BIG thanks to our sponsor Nowak Dental Supplies for their support of the podcast.
Give them a call at 800-654-7623 or visit their website at nowakdental.com

Special Guest: Cade Tippett, CDT.

Kristine Brown – Knight Dental Group
Sean Siegel – Castable Ceramics
Shawn Nowak – Nowak Dental Supplies
Iain McFarlane - Carbon
Martha Martin – Triad Dental Studio
Rebecca Wade, CDT – DSG Clearwater
Tony Circelli - Kulzer Precious Metal Refining
Heather Voss, CDT – Legacy Dental Arts
Gary Iocco – Dimension Dental Design
Morris Fucarino, CDT - Majestic Dental Arts
Lejon Meteer – Ivoclar Vivadent
Travis Zick - Mayclin Dental Studio
Denise Burris - By Design Dental Studio

We hope to see you all at next year's Vision 21 meeting!

A BIG thanks to our sponsor Nowak Dental Supplies for their support of the podcast.
Give them a call at 800-654-7623 or visit their website at nowakdental.com

Tony Prestipino- Artifex Dental Laboratories in Washington DC
Carbon M2D

Michael Tanaka-Tanaka Dental Lab in Torrance, CA
Carbon
Kulzer Cara
Stratasys Object 30

Ken Kincaid –Bismarck/Mandan Dental Lab in Bismarck, North Dakota
BEGO Varseo
MiiCraft
Ackuretta Diplo

Laura Sanders, MDT - Studio32 Dental Arts in Amarillo, TX
BEGO Varseo
Whipmix Asiga Max

Contact Nowak Dental Supplies at 800-654-7623 or at nowakdental.com for all your laboratory needs. Tell them you heard them here on Voices From the Bench!
Nowak Dental Supplies

Special Guests: Ken Kincaid CDT, TE, Laura Sanders, MDT, CDT, Michael Tanaka, and Tony Prestipino, CDT.

Tony Prestipino- Artifex Dental Laboratories in Washington DC
Carbon M2D

Michael Tanaka-Tanaka Dental Lab in Torrance, CA
Carbon
Kulzer Cara
Stratasys Object 30

Ken Kincaid –Bismarck/Mandan Dental Lab in Bismarck, North Dakota
BEGO Varseo
MiiCraft
Ackuretta Diplo

Laura Sanders, MDT - Studio32 Dental Arts in Amarillo, TX
BEGO Varseo
Whipmix Asiga Max

Stop by the Nowak Dental Supplies booth at Cal-Lab and booth B-47 in the main exhibit hall at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2019! Tell them you heard them here on Voices From the Bench!
Nowak Dental Supplies

Come see Voices From the Bench at LMT Lab Day on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday!

Special Guests: Ken Kincaid CDT, TE, Laura Sanders, MDT, CDT, Michael Tanaka, and Tony Prestipino, CDT.

Material and Equipment that James talks about:
Impregum™ Soft Polyether Impression Material from 3M

COE-FLEX® Polysulfide Impression Material from GC America

IvoBase Injector Precision Processing from Ivoclar Vivadent

SR Phonares II teeth from Ivoclar Vivadent

BlueLine DCL A-D teeth from Ivoclar Vivadent

Cal-Lab Association Meeting February 21 & 22

Elvis and Barb welcome an exiting new partnership with Nowak Dental Supplies. Please check them out at Cal-Lab and booth B-47 in the main exhibit hall at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2019!
Nowak Dental Supplies

Special Guest: James Angelone “The Denture Man” .

Webinar on Impression Materials, Techniques, and Laboratory Tips with Dr. Anthony Deliberato and James Angelone

How to get amazing impressions with Dr. Anthony Deliberato and James Angelone video

LMT Lab Day Chicago • Febuary 21 - 23
(Be sure to visit Voices From the Bench at our booth in the exhibit hall)

2019 NBC CDT Fest • February 22, 2019 • 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. CST • Hyatt Regency Chicago

2019 DLAT Southwest Conference and Expo • April 5 & 6 • Grapevine, Tx
(Be sure to visit Voices From the Bench at our booth in Lounge)

Special Guest: James Angelone “The Denture Man” .

LMT Lab Day Chicago February 21 to 23

If you are there, come see us as we record LIVE at LMT Lab Day Chicago in the exhibit hall Friday and Saturday!

[Email us](info@voicesfromthebench.com) if you are interested in lining up a time to record

CAL-LAB Meeting - February 21 & 22

NADL Winter DAZE - February 23

CDT Fest : second annual Certified Dental Technician (CDT) appreciation event in conjunction with LMT Lab Day Chicago

Special Guests: Becky Tyre and Jenny Abbott-Cole .

IDT online!

Check out some of the great things these women in technology say about the WIDT Breakfast:

https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/idt/videos/widt-chicago-breakfast-2018/?fbclid=IwAR1BDJDl29DYYEbT7j8jYCj1Toee19apJQMkEIp6y3OBtV1oPLRWE3kkCNQ

Interested in going? Email Valerie to register at vberger@aegiscomm.com

Special Guests: Pam Johnson and Valerie Berger .

IDT Magazine

Vision 21 Meeting (Come out Wednesday, January 16th!)

Voices of Dentistry - January 25 & 26

Special Guests: Pam Johnson and Valerie Berger .

Listen for a special message from our friends at The Dental Hacks Podcast!

Cal-Lab Association

93rd Annual Meeting Feburary 21 - 22, 2019

Elvis and Barb on The Dental Hacks Podcast

Special Guest: James (Jim) Gorgol, CDT.

Cal-Lab Association

Vision 21 - January 16 - 19 in Las Vegas

Harley-Davidson® Raffle Ticket

LIKE us on Facebook!

Special Guest: James (Jim) Gorgol, CDT.

Be sure to listen all the way to the end to learn why Barb needs to be on every episode. :)

Zahntechnique

Jan 12, 2019 Hands-On Course: Dominating Aesthetics utilizing 3D Printed Dentures with Composite Characterization

Visions 21 Meeting - January 16 - 19, 2019 - Las Vegas

Voices of Dentistry - January 25 & 26, 2019 - Scottsdale

Special Guests: Alexander Wünsche CDT and Danielle Wünsche.

Zahntechnique

Jan 12, 2019 Hands-On Course: Dominating Aesthetics utilizing 3D Printed Dentures with Composite Characterization

Special Guests: Alexander Wünsche CDT and Danielle Wünsche.

NADL
NBC
The Foundation of Dental Technology

LMT LAB DAY Chicago 2019

Visions 21 Meeting - January 16 - 19, 2019 - Las Vegas

NADL University - 2019 Dates Not Yet Announced

Voices of Dentistry - January 25 & 26, 2019 - Scottsdale

FOCUS MAGAZINE

Special Guests: Bennett Napier and Bob Savage.

NADL
NBC
The Foundation of Dental Technology

Visions 21 Meeting - January 16 - 19, 2019 - Las Vegas

NADL Univerity - 2019 Not Announced Yet

Voices of Dentistry - January 25 & 26, 2019 - Scottsdale

Special Guests: Bennett Napier and Bob Savage.

Check out LabWorthy's interesting Blog

Sign up with the code VFTB for an addional 20% off!
LabWorthy.com

Special Guests: John Schwartz and Trevor Willenberg.

Check out LabWorthy's interesting Blog

Sign up with the code VFTB for an addional 20% off!
LabWorthy.com

Special Guests: John Schwartz and Trevor Willenberg.

Tim Stevenson CDT- FDLA, Florida Dental Laboratory Association
Chris Delarm CDT - WSDLA, Washington State Dental Laboratory Association
Lonni Thompson CDT - ODLA, Ohio Dental Laboratory Association

These wonderful technicians volunteer their time to help their State Dental Laboratory Association as the President. Two states are still fighting to get the regulation needed to ensure that labs are held accountable while the other is already doing it. These three share their experiences with each other in a great conversation that gives hope to many more states.

Florida Dental Laboratory Association
Washington State Dental Laboratory Association
Ohio Dental Laboratory Association

Correction - Florida Dental Laboratories are NOT inspected by the same inspectors that check resturants. They are inspected by the Department of Health that does other medical facilities.

Special Guests: Chris Delarm, CDT, Lonni J. Thompson, CDT, and Tim Stevenson, CDT.

Tim Stevenson CDT- FDLA, Florida Dental Laboratory Association
Chris Delarm CDT - WSDLA, Washington State Dental Laboratory Association
Lonni Thompson CDT - ODLA, Ohio Dental Laboratory Association

A lot of experience sits at this table and they share their understandings and observations from within their State Associations.

Florida Dental Laboratory Association
Washington State Dental Laboratory Association
Ohio Dental Laboratory Association

Special Guests: Chris Delarm, CDT, Lonni J. Thompson, CDT, and Tim Stevenson, CDT.

American Denturist School
The National Denturist Association

Look for Von Wednesdays Here!

Come see Elvis & Barb in Las Vegas!!!
NADL's Vision 21 Meeting - January 16 - 19, 2019 in Las Vegas

Special Guest: Jeremiah, CDT, DTG and Amanda Naas .

Show Links:
RetainerDesigner YouTube Channel
Elvis & Barb interviewed LIVE

Come see Elvis & Barb in Las Vegas!!!
NADL's Vision 21 Meeting - January 16 - 19, 2019 in Las Vegas

Special Guest: Jeremiah, CDT, DTG and Amanda Naas .

https://identitydental.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DentalMarketingWithGrace/
The Business Bite with Grace Rizza Podcast

RetainerDesigner YouTube Channel
Elvis & Barb interviewed LIVE

Bob Savage's Triathlon Race to Raise Money For Dental Trade Alliance Foundation

Come see Elvis & Barb in Las Vegas!!!
NADL's Vision 21 Meeting - January 16 - 19, 2019 in Las Vegas

Special Guest: Grace Rizza.

NADL's Vision 21 Meeting - January 16 - 19, 2019 in Las Vegas

Special Guests: Robert Kreyer CDT and Yulia Gafurov CDT.

JDT article from Oct 2017 by Robert Kreyer, CDT and Kathleen Catanzaro, CDT

"New technologies and approaches are merging the physical, digital, and biological worlds in ways that will fundamentally transform humankind. The extent to which that transformation is positive will depend on how we navigate the risks and opportunities that arise along the way."
-Klaus Schwab

Special Guests: Robert Kreyer CDT and Yulia Gafurov CDT.

Rockert Dental Case Study

About AeraMax Professional - Website
Our goal: Offering turnkey solutions to improve indoor air quality.

We help wellness caretakers address air concerns with products that easily integrate into their facilities, using responsive technology for simplicity, from a foundation of proven innovation leadership. AeraMax Professional is manufactured by Fellowes Brands which employs more than 1,500 people throughout the world and has operations in sixteen countries. Founded in 1917 by Harry Fellowes and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Fellowes products are now readily available in more than 100 countries across the globe.

Business Insider Article – Most Unhealthy Jobs in America

Special Guests: Blake Bobosky , Mike Booth, and Tad Friess.

Rockert Dental Case Study

About AeraMax Professional - Website
Our goal: Offering turnkey solutions to improve indoor air quality.

We help wellness caretakers address air concerns with products that easily integrate into their facilities, using responsive technology for simplicity, from a foundation of proven innovation leadership. AeraMax Professional is manufactured by Fellowes Brands which employs more than 1,500 people throughout the world and has operations in sixteen countries. Founded in 1917 by Harry Fellowes and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Fellowes products are now readily available in more than 100 countries across the globe.

Business Insider Article – Most Unhealthy Jobs in America

Special Guests: Blake Bobosky , Mike Booth, and Tad Friess.

Link to Dr. Anita Imadomwanyi’s news interview about Day Of Service

Bridget killing it at the triathlon!!

Special Guests: Bridget Boudreau, CDT and Dr. Anita Imadomwanyi .

Bridget's Jamacia Photos:

Harley-Davidson® Raffle Ticket

Special Guests: Bridget Boudreau, CDT and Dr. Anita Imadomwanyi .

National Denturist Association
National Denturist Conference - October 10 - 13

Oregon State Denturist Association
Maine Licensed Denturist Association

American Denturist School

Special Guests: Patrick Allen, LD and Todd Young, BS LD.

From Patrick Allen:

The NDA and MLDA provide a resource to educate the general public about the denturist profession. Both of these organizations serve their members with continuing education and professional development opportunities as well as focusing on the growth and expansion of the profession. The NDA hosts a fall conference each year in Las Vegas and the MLDA hosts an annual conference at the beginning of June in Bangor, ME.

Denturism is regulated in 6 states currently – Maine, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Arizona and with the demand for dentures growing by the day and the access to quality care struggling to keep pace, the conditions are becoming rapidly favorable for the expansion of the profession. This is an incredible opportunity for the skilled dental technicians out there to expand their knowledge and take an even greater role the prosthetic treatment process.

National Denturist Association
National Denturist Conference - October 10 - 13

Oregon State Denturist Association
Maine Licensed Denturist Association

American Denturist School

Denturist: Birth of a Profession Book - Sadly not very available

Special Guests: Patrick Allen, LD and Todd Young, BS LD.

Dental Technicians Guild Website
DTG Symposium: Aug 16-18 in Utah
DAMAGED GOODS UNITE!/DTG AFFILIATES : Facebook Page

Special Guest: Von Grow, DTG.

Dental Technicians Guild Website
DTG Symposium: Aug 16-18 in Utah
DAMAGED GOODS UNITE!/DTG AFFILIATES : Facebook Page

Special Guest: Von Grow, DTG.

CLICK UP TOP TO ORDER A VOICES FROM THE BENCH T-SHIRT!!!

Special Guests: Brian Mouer, Richard Wills, CDT, and Thomas Zaleske, AS.

Thomas Zaleske, Richard Wills, and Brian Mouer all run successful laboratories. From different backgrounds and different parts of the country, their view of the industry is both fascinating and unique to laboratories that only deal in the removable world.

Special Guests: Brian Mouer, Richard Wills, CDT, and Thomas Zaleske, AS.

PREAT

Support Barbara Wodjan in the Race for the Future 5.0

Join us next month and cheer everyone on! Chicago Triathlon - August 25-26, 2018

Special Guest: Chris Bormes.

Preat corporation is a staple in our industry. Not only providing excellent service but a continued supporter of our industry's future through donations and education.

PREAT

JDT: Journal of Dental Technology Magazine
"The War For Talent" Article in the June/July issue

The Dental Hack Daily Interview with Elvis and Barb

Special Guest: Chris Bormes.

Joining us again are:

Martha Martin – CEO of Triad Dental Studio in North Carolina

Heather Voss, CDT – Owner - Legacy Dental Arts in New York

Steve Killian, CDT - President and General Manager -Killian Dental in California

Special Guests: Heather Voss MBA, CDT, Martha Martin , and Steve Killian, CDT.

Joining us again are:

Martha Martin – CEO of Triad Dental Studio in North Carolina

Heather Voss, CDT – Owner - Legacy Dental Arts in New York

Steve Killian, CDT - President and General Manager -Killian Dental in California

Special Guests: Heather Voss MBA, CDT, Martha Martin , and Steve Killian, CDT.

*Correction: Lonni mentions that the clock ran out for Oregon but it was Washington State*

Ohio Dental Laboratory Association (ODLA)
Learn more about state regulations at What's In Your Mouth?

The states that are regulated:
Florida
Illinois
Kentucky
Minnisota
Montana
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Pennsvinia
South Carolina
Texas
Virgina

News article about the lab mentioned in the interveiw

Special Guest: Lonni J. Thompson, CDT.

Massoudah Faiz
Heather Voss, CTD
Rob Greenson
Beau Murphy, Dtg

Show References:
DTG = Dental Technicians Guild

Special Guests: Beau Murphy DTG, Heather Voss MBA, CDT, Massoudah Faiz, and Rob Greeson.

Joining us at this week's Roundtable are:

Massoudah Faiz
Heather Voss, CTD
Rob Greenson
Beau Murphy, Dtg

I apologize for some of the audio issues. But the content makes up for it!

Motorcycle Raffle!!!

Special Guests: Beau Murphy DTG, Heather Voss MBA, CDT, Massoudah Faiz, and Rob Greeson.

With her unique view of the dental laboratory industry, Judy also gives Elvis and Barb her thoughts on the future.

Judy Fishman is the CEO and Publisher of LMT Magazine. A staple in the dental laboratory industry since 1984.

LMT Magazine
LMT Lab Day

Special Guest: Judy Fishman.

Judy Fishman is the CEO and Publisher of LMT Magazine. A staple in the dental laboratory industry since 1984.

LMT Magazine

Special Guest: Judy Fishman.

Denise is the 2018 Chairperson of the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology. She is also a passionate technician that started her own lab in Atlanta, Georgia.

In this week's episode we talk about why Denise became and maintains her CDT status and exciting updates to the CDT and CDL program.

National Board for Certification (NBC) in Dental Laboratory Technology

Certified Dental Laboratories (CDLs)

Special Guest: Denise Burris, CDT.

Joining us again are:

Martha Martin – CEO of Triad Dental Studio in North Carolina

Jeff Stronk - Co-owner - Treasure Dental Studio in Utah

Heather Voss, CDT – Owner - Legacy Dental Arts in New York

Steve Killian, CDT - President and General Manager -Killian Dental in California

And of course Barbara and Elvis.

Show related links:

The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology
FDLT: Online Learning

Your Pathway to becoming a CDT

Special Guests: Heather Voss MBA, CDT, Jeff Stronk, Martha Martin , and Steve Killian, CDT.

Gathered together to discuss the ongoing issues of hiring and training are:

Martha Martin – CEO of Triad Dental Studio in North Carolina

Jeff Stronk - Co-owner - Treasure Dental Studio in Utah

Heather Voss, CDT – Owner - Legacy Dental Arts in New York

Steve Killian, CDT - President and General Manager -Killian Dental in California

And of course Barbara and Elvis.

A lot of great content so we get right to it!

Show related links:
Indeed

Special Guests: Heather Voss MBA, CDT, Jeff Stronk, Martha Martin , and Steve Killian, CDT.